Method of extinguishing fires.



UNITED STATE$ PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT SCHEUFFGEN. OF SALZKOT'IEN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO FABRIK EXPLO- SIONSSICHERER GEFASSE, G. M. B. PL. OF SALZKOTTEN, WESTPHALIA, GERMANY,

A CORPORATION OF GERMANY.

METHOD OF EXTINGUISHING FIRES.

No Drawing.

employing two liquids, generally kept separate from one another, which when mixed together acted on one another and generated a gas, e. g. carbonic acid gas, and to one of which was added a foam-forming substance, e. g. extract of licorice root. These liquids, generally kept separate from one another, were either contained in suitably constructed manual fire-extinguishers which, when in use, operated in the manner of gas-syringes, or were kept ready in special vessels so that they could be brought together inside or outside the burning objects and form foam.

The method according to my invention differs from this well-known method in that for producing foam I do not employ liquids which are generally kept separate from one another, but solid chemicals in the form of pieces or powder which contain foam-forming substances or to which such substances are added. These solid chemicals may be kept either inside the chambers, tanks or the like to be protected, or in readiness outside the same. When required to be used, these chemicals are dissolved by adding a solvent, 6. 9. water, whereby the foam is produced. If the solid chemicals are outside the tanks, chambers or the like to be protected, the foam formed by adding the solvent, 6. 9. water, can be supplied under the pressure produced by the formation of the foam through piping to the seat of the fire or to the endangered places. In order efliciently to utilize this pressure produced when the foam is being formed I preferably store the solid chemicals in closed boilers. When the solid chemicals are placed into the receptacles themselves which are to be protected, e. g. in tanks for holding readily combustible Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 21. 1912.

Patented Dec. 1, 191d.

Serial No. 685,215.

cordingly, the following may be used, for

example :-alu1ninium sulfate and bicarbonate of soda, oxalic acid and bicarbonate of soda, sodium sulfite or bisulfite and aluminium sulfate.

I claim i 1. The herein described method of extingushing fires in tanks containing inflammable liquids lighter than water, said method consisting in sinking to the bottom of the tank, previous to the possible fire, two separate solid chemicals containing foam forming substances; keeping said chemicals in place until the time of need; and spraying water into said tank, at the time of need, whereby the water sinks to the bottom, dissolves the chemicals, permits them to unite, give off non-combustible and non-combustion-supporting gas, and form foam which floats to the surface of the liquid spreads itself thereover, holds the air from contact therewith and then prevents the liquid from burning.

2. The herein described method of eX- tinguishing fires in tanks containing inflammable liquids lighter than water, said method consisting in placing in communication with the liquid, previous to the time of need, a mixture of dry chemicals, containing a foam forming substance and adapted to give off non-combustible and noncombustion-supporting gas when dissolved in water, the chemicals being so placed that the foam produced thereby can rise to the surface of the liquid; and, at the time of need, introducing water into the tank, the water sinking in the tank and dissolving the chemicals producing foam which floats upon phe scprface of the liquid and protects the 3. The herein described method of extinguishing fires in tanks containing inflammable liquids lighter than Water, said method consisting in sinking in the tank two solid chemicals containing a foam forming substance; and sinking Water in said tank whereby the chemicals are dissolved, chemical action takes place, non-combustible and foam is formed, floats upon and covers the surface of the liquid and holds the air from contact therewith and prevents combustion.

4. Process for the extinguishing of fire in tanks containing easily inflammable liquids consisting of the fact that in advance a dry mixture of chemicals that develop non-com .7 bustible and non combustion supporting gas containing foam upon being dissolved by Water are arranged at a place near the bottom of the tank to be protected, this place being so selected that the foam produced within the inflammable liquid can rise to the surface thereof, and that at the given moment Water can be introduced into the inflammable liquid, which water sinks in the tank and dissolves the chemicals placed near the bottom, producing foam.

5. A process consisting in sinking into a vessel of inflammable liquid lighter than water two separate solid chemicals insoluble in said liquid and adapted to give oil? noncombustible andnon combustion-supporting gas when dissolved; retaining said chemicals in solid state in said vessel, until time of need; and then dissolving said chemicals by sinking water in said tank. non-combustion-supporting gas is given off,

6. A process consisting in retainingin a vessel of inflammable hquid lighter than water, until the time of need, two separate solid chemicals insoluble in said liquid and adapted to give off non-combustible and non-combustion-supporting gas when -dissolved; and in the time of need dissolving said chemicals with water.

7. A process consisting in retaining, until the timeof need, in a single vessel of inflam mable liquid free from'water, two separate solid chemicals insoluble in said liquid and soluble in Water and adapted to give 01f noncombustible and non-combustion-supporting gas when dissolved, and in the time of need sinking water in said vessel.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT SCHEUFF GEN.

Witnesses:

HENRY HASPER,

VOLDEMAR HAUPT. 

